People Who Actually Know Your Business
We're not about flashy credentials or corporate talk. Our approach to annual budgeting comes from working with real Australian businesses — understanding what keeps you up at night and figuring out solutions that actually work for how you operate.
Built on Practical Experience
Starting a budgeting consultancy in Newcastle wasn't some grand plan. It happened because we noticed something: most businesses weren't failing due to bad ideas — they were struggling with cash flow timing, seasonal variations they hadn't anticipated, and budgets that looked great on paper but collapsed under real-world pressure.
So we started helping. One cafe owner who couldn't figure out why profitable months still left them short on cash. A trade business that needed to balance equipment purchases against fluctuating project timelines. That's where this began.
Honest Assessments
We'll tell you when something won't work for your situation. There's no point building a budget system you can't maintain or that doesn't fit how your business actually operates day-to-day.
Long-Term Thinking
Quick fixes create bigger problems down the line. We'd rather build something sustainable that grows with you than implement flashy solutions that need constant adjustment.
Real-World Testing
Every recommendation we make has been tested in actual business environments. We don't pull strategies from textbooks — we adapt what's proven to work in the Australian market.
What We Focus On
Each area represents years of hands-on work with businesses across Newcastle and the Hunter region. We've seen what works, what doesn't, and most importantly — why certain approaches succeed while others create more problems than they solve.
Who You'll Work With
Devnet Faulkerson
Budget Strategy Lead
Spent eight years helping retail and hospitality businesses navigate seasonal fluctuations that nearly broke them. These days, Devnet works primarily with businesses facing unpredictable revenue patterns — figuring out how to build budgets that don't fall apart when customer behavior shifts. Her approach tends to focus on buffer systems and flexible forecasting rather than rigid annual plans.
Carreen Hilderbrand
Growth Planning Specialist
Carreen handles the tricky stuff — businesses that are expanding but can't quite figure out how to fund that growth without overextending. She's particularly good at working with trade businesses and service providers who need to balance equipment investments, hiring decisions, and project timelines. Most of her work involves creating phased budget strategies that adapt as circumstances change throughout the year.
Tymera Blankenship
Financial Systems Consultant
If your current budgeting process feels like more trouble than it's worth, Tymera's the one you need. She specializes in simplifying financial tracking systems so business owners can actually use them without needing an accounting degree. Her background in small manufacturing gives her insight into businesses with complex cost structures that standard budgeting approaches don't handle well.
Finding the Right Fit
Not every business needs the same approach. Here's how we figure out whether we're the right team for your situation and what kind of support would actually help.
What's creating the budget pressure?
If you're dealing with unpredictable cash flow, seasonal variations, or growth that's outpacing your current systems, we've likely handled similar situations. If it's primarily tax strategy or complex compliance issues, we'll point you toward specialists in those areas instead.
How hands-on do you want to be?
Some clients want systems they can run themselves with occasional check-ins. Others prefer ongoing support. Both work fine — we just need to know which approach fits your style and available time. There's no point building something you won't actually use.
What timeline are we working with?
If you need something implemented by next month, we're probably not the best fit. Our process typically takes several months because we test approaches against your actual business patterns rather than implementing generic templates. Better to be realistic upfront than rush something that won't work.
Ready to start a conversation?
If the above sounds reasonable and you're dealing with budgeting challenges that need practical solutions rather than quick fixes, let's talk. Initial consultations help both of us figure out if we're approaching things the same way.
Get In Touch